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Translation of Petitions presented by the inhabitants of (1) Kam T'in, (2) Shap Pat Heung, Ha Ts'ün and Castle Peak, (3) Pát
Heung, (4) Ping Shán, (5) Lam Ts'ün,
The Humble Petition of Tang and others shewing that rowdies from other districts have incited and misled the people into the folly of offering armed resistance and praying that Your Excellency may be mercifully pleased to pardon the ignorant country people and allow them to carry on their avocations in peace.
Your Petitioners have always observed the law and were fully aware of the condition in the Convention that Chinese will be well treated, which is a matter of great rejoicing to all. But, unfortunately, rowdies from other places spread false rumours saying that the laws and customs of the British and Chinese are different, which would result in endless trouble and difficulty, and they made use of this pretext to incite and mislead the people. They first coërced the elders and gentry and then offered armed resistance to the British troops. Having gained over to their side the majority, your Petitioners were coërced into joining them.
TANG TS'ING-sz then let it be known that rewards would be issued for information regarding and the arresting of traitors to their cause.
Now that the Imperial troops have come to restore order in the territory, your Petitioners offer their submission with true feelings of gladness. But as the people have wandered from their homes-a spectacle which causes great pain-your Petitioners are constrained to humbly approach your tribunal praying that you will be graciously pleased to authorise the withdrawal of the troops, and that hereafter such sites as it may please the Governinent to select may be used for the erection of Public Offices, Police Stations, or other buildings, for which kindness all our villages would be forever grateful.
Dated 21st April, 1899.
Translated by J. H. STEWART LOCKHART.
(Messages from Colonial Secretary to Governor.)
I.
Tái ró, 17th April, 1899.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR,
I strongly recommend despatching troops to neighbourhood Castle Peak co- operate with BERGER now at Sheung Ts'ün and sending Fame to Deep Bay. Am informed that Chinese are strongly entrenched Castle Peak, and that Kam T'in is the chief offender in the disturbance. The removal of its walls would have a good effect.
LOCKHART.
II.
TÁI Pó, 18th April, 1899.
My message above could not be sent on account of rain. Colonel THE O'GORMAN has decided to proceed to Sheung Ts'ün to join BERGER, meeting SIMMONDS on the way. I am going with him, accompanied by Ts'or, to show the way and give what assistance I can. I hope troops have landed Castle Peak, and Fame has proceeded Deep Bay.
III.
LOCKHART.
GOVERNOR,
SHEUNG TSUN, TUESDAY, 18th April, 1899,
3 p.m.
>
Reached Sheung Ts'ün 12.30. Chinese have fired on troops who are now returning the fire.
LOCKHART.